A PLAN to turn one of the county’s finest mansions into a new venue has been met with suspicion by residents in a ‘sleepy’ village who feel a late-night music and alcohol move will stop them from sleeping.

The request for a late-night alcohol and live music licence is part of plans by Ombersley Court owners to turn the 300-year-old country house into a new private-hire venue that would be able to sell alcohol until midnight and stay open and play live and recorded music until 1am every day.

The move, which will be discussed by councillors a meeting in Pershore next week, has been met with criticism from some villagers in ‘quiet and peaceful’ Ombersley who feel threatened by the prospect of late-night partying and traffic.

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In an objection to Wychavon District Council, John and Marilyn Hunt of Ombersley said the late-night plan “threatened to shatter” the peaceful evening and night-time hours in the village.

Michael and Angela Podmore said the noise from a ‘one-off’ charity ball held in an outdoor marquee last summer could be heard from their home ‘more than 600 meters away’ and would have had a worse affect on the hundreds of homes closer to Ombersley Court.

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In an objection, David and Susan Collier, said the noise from the same event could be heard a mile away in the next village.

“On that occasion the loud music created a disturbance as far as Uphampton, preventing people from sleeping,” the objection said.

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“As it was a single event in aid of a local charity, residents chose not to complain. However, this would not be tolerable on a recurring basis. It would be especially unwelcome when residents are working during the week.”

The application fronted by Mark Bevan, managing director of the Gemini Hospitality Group which also runs the Elms Hotel in Abberley and Checketts of Ombersley, describes Ombersley Court as a “newly refurbished country house for pre-booked private use events only” and states that it would only cater for “exclusive corporate, ticketed and private clients.”

Wychavon District Council’s licensing subcommittee meets in Pershore from 2pm on April 12.